Race Goals

It has been one LONG week this week, mainly because I've had a huge cataloging assignment for my class I'm taking. So, running short of sleep usually means not being able to get up and run in the mornings. Tuesdays I start work late so I did get in 3 miles, but today was the first day since the I was able to force myself out of bed. I decided that since my group and I submitted our assignment yesterday, I deserve a reward. I'm definitely going to run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Sunday. It is a 5k starting at UNR on Sunday (10/05), so there shouldn't be too many hills. And for the first time, I decided to run for time. My goal has always simply to finish, and if I'm feeling really good (on the long distances), also to not stop. The short races I don't usually make any kind of goal, but stopping is not even an option. :) I am very much a steady runner, and not too fast- if I start out too fast, then I always get tired right away and have a crappy race ending. I ran 3 miles on my treadmill (2 - 2.5 incline, but mostly 2.5), and decided to see how much I could push myself, with this goal in mind. It usually takes me about 25:20-26:00 depending on the day to run 3 miles, but this morning I started at my usual pace (6.5 mph), but kicked up the speed much sooner than I usually do, and did a few intervals as well. I wanted to run in 25:00 or under. That was my goal this morning. My time? 25:01. So close... My goal for Sunday? Somewhere between 25 and 27 minutes sounds reasonable to me- accounting for any hills, weaving in and out of people, and the extra .1 - .2 miles (every course is different!), plus the added adrenaline that will be coursing through my veins...

So. Anyone one want to run with me? :)